Read More

General manager Geoff Harrop stressed: “We do not believe that money was the reason for Alex Davey joining Boreham Wood rather than ourselves.

“The deal was done at this end and agreed with him, but other factors, such as his family living near Boreham Wood, then came into it.

“We are ready to offer any kind of deal, including ones with incentives for goals, results and staying up. We know what is at stake as well as anyone and, without being irresponsible, we are prepared to support all Gary’s efforts to strengthen the squad.”

As a measure of how difficult the ‘climate’ may be, United are believed to have enquired about one forward at a lowly League Two club recently, to be told that he is on nearly £4,000 a week.

Owers, who gave debuts to young loanees Alex Fletcher (Plymouth Argyle) and Tommy O’Sullivan (Colchester United) in a 4-0 defeat at Wrexham at the weekend, saw Icelandic defender Axel Oskar Andresson return to Reading after his loan expired.